Why Offences Will Surely Come — And How to Keep Your Heart Free
Offences are one of hell’s most subtle and most effective weapons. They come quietly, wrapped in familiar faces, emotional moments, misunderstandings, unmet expectations, and even sincere mistakes. Yet Jesus said something profound:
“It is impossible but that offences will come…”
(Luke 17:1 KJV)
This means:
You cannot pray offences away. You cannot fast offences away. You cannot relocate away from offences.
They will come — not because God wants you wounded, but because the enemy wants you trapped.
To understand offences, you must understand the devil’s strategy:
The word “offence” in Scripture is from the Greek skándalon — a baited trap.
Offence is not just a feeling; it is a satanic setup designed to capture your heart and disconnect you from destiny relationships, divine instructions, and kingdom progress.
1️⃣ WHAT ARE OFFENCES? THE REAL MEANING OF “THE BAIT”
Offence is:
A trigger that pulls you into bitterness A trap that stops spiritual progress A bait designed to detach you from God’s plan An emotional hook meant to distract, disable, and derail
Offence is not the event — it is your internal reaction to the event.
Two people can experience the same situation:
One gets offended and derailed; the other grows, forgives, and advances.
The difference is not in the experience but in the response.
2️⃣ WHY OFFENCES WILL SURELY COME
✔ Because you live among imperfect people
Human beings will misunderstand, disappoint, or misjudge you — intentionally or unintentionally.
✔ Because offences test the state of your heart
Offence exposes what is hidden inside: pride, insecurity, entitlement, hidden expectations.
✔ Because your destiny depends on relationships
If hell can break your connection with your pastor, spouse, church, brethren, or mentors — he can break your destiny.
✔ Because offence is the cheapest doorway to bitterness
And bitterness opens doors to oppression, confusion, and spiritual dryness.
3️⃣ OFFENCE IS A SPIRITUAL ATTACK, NOT A MERE EMOTION
The enemy whispers:
“You deserve better.” “They don’t value you.” “Don’t let them talk to you like that.” “Withdraw.” “Stop serving.” “Stop attending.” “Cut them off.”
Every offence carries a voice, and that voice is usually not the Holy Spirit.
That is why Proverbs warns:
“A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city…”
(Proverbs 18:19 NKJV)
An offended heart becomes fortified with walls, suspicions, and silent vows.
4️⃣ WHAT OFFENCE DOES TO YOUR SPIRITUAL DESTINY
🛑 It blocks revelation
You cannot hear God clearly with an offended heart.
🛑 It breaks relationships God positioned to help you
🛑 It interrupts your growth process
Sometimes the person who offended you is the person God arranged to grow you.
🛑 It disconnects you from authority and covering
🛑 It gives Satan a legal place
“…give no place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27)
Offence is the easiest place to give him.
5️⃣ HOW TO REFUSE THE BAIT — PRACTICAL WAYS
Here is the armour God expects you to wear in a world where offences MUST come:
✔ 1. Choose to be unoffendable
Not because people are perfect, but because your destiny is too precious.
✔ 2. Keep low expectations of humans and high expectations of God
Most offence is rooted in wrong expectations.
✔ 3. Learn immediate forgiveness as a lifestyle
Forgiveness is not approval — it is release.
✔ 4. Guard your interpretations
Offence enters through interpretation more than through actions.
Ask:
“Did they really mean it that way? Or is my heart reading it wrongly?”
✔ 5. Address issues early—before they ferment
Delayed conversations breed demonic interpretations.
✔ 6. Stay under spiritual authority
Many offences fester because people isolate themselves.
✔ 7. Pray for the person who offended you
This is the quickest way to free your heart.
6️⃣ JESUS — OUR EXAMPLE IN DEALING WITH OFFENCES
He was betrayed, denied, mocked, beaten, misunderstood, falsely accused — yet He never took the bait.
He forgave on the cross before anyone apologised:
“Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus teaches us:
Offence is inevitable, but bondage is optional.
Freedom is a choice.
7️⃣ FINAL WORD: GUARD YOUR HEART!
Your heart is your greatest spiritual real estate. Offence wants to claim it.
But God commands:
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
(Proverbs 4:23)
If your heart is trapped, your life is trapped.
If your heart is free, your destiny remains open.
So today, make the commitment:
I will not take the bait. I will not be trapped. I will not lose relationships destiny has provided. I will not let offence write the story of my life.
Choose freedom.
Choose forgiveness.
Choose the higher road.
And God will honour you.
The Message Bearer, Cornelius Bella
corneliusbella 